Cost of Living: Laredo, TX vs Hayward, CA (2026)

Laredo

Texas
67
VS

Hayward

California
200

Laredo is 66% cheaper than Hayward.

$1,001/mo ↓ 58%
Median Rent
$2,360/mo ↑ 136%
$63,264/yr ↓ 44%
Median Income
$113,775/yr ↑ 80%
$182,400 ↓ 78%
Home Value
$820,700 ↑ 350%
$1,066/mo ↓ 56%
Owner Costs
$2,420/mo ↑ 127%
255,949
Population
159,201

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Laredo, TX and Hayward, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,359/month cheaper in Laredo, saving renters about $16,308/year.

Median household income is $50,511/year higher in Hayward. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Laredo is $182,400 compared to $820,700 in Hayward.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Laredo residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laredo vs Hayward — common questions

Is Laredo or Hayward cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Laredo is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 200 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Laredo and Hayward?
Median rent in Laredo is $1,001/month and in Hayward it's $2,360/month — a difference of $1,359/month.
Which city has higher income, Laredo or Hayward?
Median household income is $63,264 in Laredo and $113,775 in Hayward. Median household income is $50,511/year higher in Hayward.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Laredo or Hayward?
It depends on your priorities. Laredo has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,001/mo, while Hayward has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,360/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Laredo details → View Hayward details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Laredo and Hayward

Laredo vs. St. Petersburg Laredo vs. Irving Laredo vs. Lubbock Laredo vs. Chesapeake Laredo vs. Fort Wayne Laredo vs. Winston-Salem Hayward vs. Salinas Hayward vs. Corona Hayward vs. Palmdale Hayward vs. Paterson Hayward vs. Springfield Hayward vs. Murfreesboro